Fiona

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Instructions

The knitted beads in this piece are all worked with techniques taught in the Brilliant Knit Beads class. Just strung the knitted beads with some beautiful, large resin beads that look like Amber and some larger glass pony beads. The knitted beads in this piece are all worked with techniques taught in the Brilliant Knit Beads class. Just strung the knitted beads with some beautiful, large resin beads that look like Amber and some larger glass pony beads.

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Difficulty:

Category: Knitting

Type of item: Accessory

For: Women

Style: Whimsical, Classic

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Materials

Silk and Tencel fibers, Japanese glass seed beads, wooden beads (underneath the knitted wrappers), large resin beads, C-Thru stringing thread, Sterling Silver and art glass clasp.

What was your inspiration?

My fellow instructor (and occasional roommate when we are fortunate enough to be teaching at the same venue) Fiona Ellis inspired this piece, although I didn't recognize that until it was finished. I thought I was making it to go along with an old Bakelite bangle bracelet that is the same yummy butterscotch/amber color as the large resin beads I was lucky enough to stumble upon. But as I made the beads, I kept hearing Fiona's voice telling me to "Go big or go home!" She is an amazing designer of taste and ingenuity with a fun personality that is as lively and bold as I wanted this necklace to be. I love wearing it and it always makes me think of her.

What are you most proud of?

The way I was able to coordinate and integrate all the various colors, shapes and sizes of the beads to fit together and lay so well around the neck. That took some doing! You can see how well it hangs in the last picture where it is on a display form. When it lies flat, as in the first picture, this is not quite so obvious.

What advice would you give someone starting this project?

Start out by making several different sizes and colors/techniques of knitted bead balls along with choosing any other types of beads you think might work with the knitted beads. Then begin to string them to see how they'll work together. You can then create additional knitted beads to fill in the spaces and create the lengths you need. Using some kind of display form to hang the various lengths on as you are working is really helpful.